Power abuse: Sabah govt dept director released on RM500,000 bail

A director of a government department in Sabah who was remanded to facilitate investigations into an abuse of power case involving infrastructure projects worth RM3.3 billion was released today on a RM500,000 bail in two sureties, without deposit.

A source close to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) investigation team said the director was released by Magistrate Stephanie Sharron Abbie about 1pm.

It said MACC would continue to investigate, including recording statements and collecting evidence on the case.

On Oct 11, MACC obtained a remand order to detain the director for five days, ending today, to facilitate investigations.

Meanwhile, the source said a remand obtained on Friday to detain four other individuals, including a former deputy director of a government department, would expire on Oct 18 (Tuesday).

It added the MACC recorded statements from 82 witnesses in relation to investigations into the case.

MACC Deputy Commissioner (Operations) Datuk Azam Baki when contacted confirmed the matter.

He said more witnesses might be called to assist in the investigations.

The seizure of RM114.5 million in the abuse of power case linking two civil servants in Sabah is the biggest in the history of MACC.